Free Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) by Siera London Page A

 
    “Ava! Where have you been, girlfriend?” Monique’s thick braids where twisted in an intricate knot on top of her head. Her cherubic face wore a smile, and her eyes danced in merriment. Ava returned a smile in kind as she moved closer.  
    “Monique, I was worried. Why did you ask for me?”
    “I’m bored. I need someone to talk to. I’m sorry if I took you away from another patient.” Monique lowered her head but not before Ava recognized the shame. Time with Monique was a treat, especially after Commando Barbie.  
    “It’s okay. I got pulled for escort duty this morning, but I have time to talk.”
    “With the President or something?”
    “No, not that esteemed, but they are important people to this hospital.”
    “That’s cool. Ah …” Monique didn’t hesitate. She was vocal when it came to something she wanted.  
    “What’s up Monique? You can talk with me about anything.”
    “Are you sure? Because it’s probably not right or selfish or something, but … I was wondering.”
    “Yes, go on.” Ava moved closer to the bed. She took Monique’s uninjured arm giving it a gentle squeeze of encouragement.  
    “When you’re on duty can you be my nurse?” Monique imitated mock air quotations.  
    “Has something happened?”
    “No, no. Everybody is great, but you and me, we kind of have a mini bond thing happening.”
    Ava hesitated a moment, not because she didn’t want to, but out of respect for the charge nurse she needed to discuss the staffing mix with the supervisor before giving an answer.  
    “It’s okay if you don’t want to, I just thought …”
    “Of course I want to do a mini bond kind of thing with you. Let me talk with the nurse in charge to work out the staffing. We have to divide the more complex patients amongst the nurses.”  
    The smile radiating on Monique’s face warmed Ava’s heart.
    The sound of the room door opening drew their attention.  
    “Just the two ladies I wanted to see.”  
    The stomach dip told her it was Logan before she could focus on his face. She had been avoiding him since the fundraiser.  
    “Dr. Masters, Ava has agreed to be my nurse. Isn’t that great? Now I have my favorite doctor and nurse together.”
    The look that Logan gave her seared her insides and she gripped the bedrail to steady herself.  
    “This is great news, Monique. We both have the pleasure of forging a lasting relationship with Ava.”  
    She knew Logan wasn’t referring to a professional relationship.
    “Ava and I will talk about the plan of care for you after I finish your exam.”
    “Ah, Dr. Masters I feel fine.”
    “I’m glad to hear that since I am responsible for your care, but no short cuts allowed. I have requested your medical records from the hospital that performed your surgery, just in case we have to remove the hardware from your arm. We will give the antibiotic more time to kill the infection, but I want to be prepared if more needs to be done.”  
    Monique did not look happy at the mention of another surgery.  
    “I’ll step out to give you both some privacy.” Ava gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile, squeezed Monique’s hand once before she released it, and then moved to exit the room.
    She felt his familiar hand close around her wrist as she brushed by.
    “Wait for me outside, Ava.” His expression told her there would be no escaping him today.

      Logan’s thoughts strayed to Ava more with each passing day. That night with Ava was groundhog’s day on a repeating loop in his brain. Why had she rejected him?  
    She was attracted to him. He’d witnessed how responsive she was to his touch. He felt her very physical reaction when she pressed against him during the dance. She had leaned into his touch at her front door.  
    Today he was getting a date with her.
    He didn’t have to go in search of her as he expected. She was closing Monique’s intake chart when he stopped in front of her. He let her see the determination in